Ex-Celtics First-Rounder Reflects On Long-Awaited Return To NBA

It’s been five years since Guerschon Yabusele, a former Boston Celtics first-round pick from the 2016 draft, took the floor for an NBA contest. But after three years spent in the EuroLeague, the 28-year-old is back and ready to earn a roster spot as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers, after singing Paul George to a $212 million contract in free agency to revamp their roster, took a chance on Yabusele in August by signing him to a one-year, $2.1 million deal — eight days after Yabusele earned a silver medal to end France’s run. Yabusele officially debuted with Philadelphia on Monday as the Sixers hosted the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL, and put on an impressive show by scoring 15 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field in just under 17 minutes off the bench.

“I’m not going to lie, it felt amazing,” Yabusele told reporters after Philadelphia’s 139-84 victory, per Austin Krell of On Pattison. “It felt amazing and to be able to get the win and for everybody on the team to be able to perform. It’s been a great night. It’s been a long road, but I’m happy to be here.”

After the Celtics parted ways with Yabusele in 2019 and ended his two-year run in Boston, he joined the Spanish Giants. Overseas, Yabusele contributed to a 2023 EuroLeague championship run and finished last season averaging 9.6 points while shooting 43% from 3-point range. Yabusele’s stock value catapulted at its highest in years during the Pairs Olympic Games this past summer, where the 6-foot-8 power forward put on a show for Team France — and even dunked on LeBron James.

Yabusele, a former ineffective 3-and-D role player on the Celtics, upgraded his offensive skillset. He used his 260-pound frame to find easy scoring opportunities inside the paint against the Breakers, helping Philadelphia’s offense exploit physical mismatches. And since the Sixers don’t have many power forward options in their current depth chart outside of Caleb Martin — Philadelphia’s presumed go-to No. 4 — coming off the bench.

“(My family), they love the city, they love being here,” Yabusele explained, per Krell. “The whole situation with the summer and everything going on, they’re just enjoying the time and being here. My wife and I met when I was in Boston so, of course, she knows the NBA games but for her to be able to watch the games; she was telling me how much she missed it. I think everybody enjoyed it and are happy for me to be around here and I think we found a good place here in Philadelphia.”